My mother's trick for dealing with crying babies in stores:

[hedgehog]

If you see a baby or toddler whining or fussing, catch their eye and then give an exaggerated startle at their noise, followed by a sympathetic face. Something about interacting with a stranger calms little kids right down. I do this when i see a harried parent in the grocery store and it works. My kids call me the "baby whisperer".

A look of sympathy to the parent and a comment"Boy, I've been there!" sometimes helps, too.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. You're right! It totally distracts them! nt

[virgogal]

2. I had 6 kids--my trick was to leave the store,

[hedgehog]

4. Something about all the noise and different colors and smells

tends to give kids sensory overload somewhere between the last few aisles and the checkout while grocery shopping. Sometimes leaving the store isn't exactly an option. Sometimes, hauling the kid along is the only option, and nap time is the only time the parent can get to the store. Sometimes, the kid is just having one of those days.

[virgogal]

18. My favorite time to shop was when my husband was home in

the evening and I could go out ALONE!!!!!!!

What a treat that was.

[ejpoeta]

25. i always tell people i'm on vacation when i get to go by myself. being able to stop and LOOK at

something!! what a treat indeed. they look at me funny when I say i'm on vacation. then i go stand in a long line and take my time... someone in front of me will say they are sorry it is taking so long and I will smile and say, that's ok... the kids are home with their father... take all the time you need. LOL! and when I hear the crying kids off in the distance, I am glad that for once they are not MY kids that are crying like that.

[virgogal]

34. Simple pleasures are the best,aren't they?

[pipi_k]

27. Sensory overload....

boy can I empathize with that.

It doesn't take much to push me over the edge, and there are times I wish I could cry like a little kid in the stores too.

Actually I should try that next time I need help and there are no clerks around to help. I'll bet I'd get attention real fast. :7

[SoCalDem]

5. I had 3 under 5, and I usually left, as well..except for the DMV

:evilgrin:

people would always give me "cuts"..especially after the time my 3 yr old hoisted himself up onto the velvet-rope line separators, and dominoed them down :)

[hedgehog]

8. It's amazing how many things we take for granted are seen

by our children as a jungle gym.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

15. My youngest wandered away in a grocery store -

we lived in a small village, so keeping an eye on them at all times wasn't as urgent as it is today - and before I found her, I heard her scream.

I went running, and the manager and I found her at the same time. Up on the meat display - yes, they were all wrapped - where she'd found a pig's head (this was in SW Ohio, near the Kentucky border), and, entranced, had tried to stick her fingers in the pig's nostrils.

She must have pushed hard, because the plastic wrapper broke, and her fingers slid into the pig's nose. Hence, the screams.

She never - NEVER - wandered away from me again.....................

[Chemisse]

20. Hahaha, that is really funny!

[virgogal]

13. I had my kids in short order also. Your three yr old sounds like quite

the guy.

When my kids now complain about the antics of their own kids I just laugh.

Time sure flies,doesn't it?

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[EndersDame]

91. That is what my mom did as well but some mothers are single parents working and going to school

and may not have time. I really don't care about kids in walmarts. I just don't like it when a parent decides to bring their toddlers or out of control kids to non Chuck E Cheese Restaurants or movies

[lapfog_1]

3. Or, if you have a mean streak in you a mile wide...

you could do what this guy did

http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/02/georgia.tot.slapped/index.html

And spend some time in jail (I hope).

[hedgehog]

6. That's what inspired my comment.

[customerserviceguy]

43. Too bad I wasn't on the jury

I'd have held a medal-awarding ceremony for the guy after the hung jury trial.

On the other hand, he went into Wal-Mart, where else can curler-wearing mothers inflict their screaming brats on somebody else and get away with it?

[Tuvok Obama]

50. He slapped a two-year-old across the face four times

and you're saying you admire the assault

???

[customerserviceguy]

58. OK, he went a bit over the line

perhaps he should have slapped the putative 'parent' instead.

He did something that society considers wrong, but the part of me that likes a bit of vigilante justice still can't help but support him.

Go back and be your kid's "friend". See how that works out someday.

[Tuvok Obama]

65. A little late for that (my kid is grown), but thanks for the big brother routine

My kid did not scream in public places, and she's raising her own the same way.

It's the parents' fault when little kids are out of control. It's lazy parenting. And while I don't condone actually slapping the parent of a screaming kid, I can see why one would want to.

That's what the "I fucking hate little kids" whiny twenty-somethings don't get: what they should be hating is the asshole parents (i.e., their own peers) who won't even try to produce well-behaved children. Lazy shits.

[Iris]

79. this has nothing to do with someone being his kid's friend

jeez. Why do I still expect to see a hint of common decency around here anymore?

[customerserviceguy]

94. Because when it comes to "little darlings"

the breeders often think that they have a right to inflict their offspring on as many other people as possible. Sort of a "share the pain" thing, I think.

Like I said, the guy in the Wal-Mart was wrong, but I can understand his frustration. If a father of a dead soldier were to be able to shoot Dick Cheney, he'd be guilty of a criminal offense, but many of us would understand his frustration, too.

[Shell Beau]

102. Didn't you say you were a father. Sounds like I should say sperm donor instead.

What a lovely father you must be. Your poor children.

[customerserviceguy]

112. You have no idea what you're talking about

I lost my job, had to file bankruptcy, and ended up destroying my second marriage because I went to court for custody of my kids ten years after their mother and I divorced. Seems she wanted to marry a convicted child rapist.

If I were merely a "sperm donor" (which she considered me, after I had a vasectomy, I was of no use in conceiving additional children), I would have just said, "Well, Ed the Pervert is just another misunderstood sexual minority, why should I upset my life over this?"

You have NO idea. You just generalize that everybody who doesn't feel the same way you do about kittens, puppies, cooing babies, and rainy days is somehow a bad person. Enjoy your fantasy world.

[Shell Beau]

115. I am going by your nasty disgusting posts, so unless you are a liar,

then I have somewhat of an idea. Your posts are beyond ignorant and scary if you have children. Poor children.

[customerserviceguy]

120. My children are all adults now

Thanks for your concern.

[Shell Beau]

122. Bless their hearts.

[winyanstaz]

118. I feel sorry for your kids

[customerserviceguy]

124. I feel sorry for the adults

who are around your kids.

[Shell Beau]

126. Hahaha! Good one.

[winyanstaz]

162. then you are wasting your feelings because my children are ,,,,,

grown, healthy, caring and happy adults. And I didnt have to slap them around either you twit.

[Shell Beau]

106. Perhaps he should've slapped you.

[customerserviceguy]

114. Sure, a high five!

[Shell Beau]

117. You obviously condone violence, so if someone is going to get

slapped, it should be the person who has no problem with it.

[customerserviceguy]

127. Again, I have said multiple times, on this thread and a related one

He was wrong. You were the person who brought up him slapping me. I deflected your notion with a harmless joke.

[Shell Beau]

129. You said, well maybe he should've slapped the parent. Didn't you say that?

Yep, you did.

[customerserviceguy]

130. Ok, busted

Posting after a beer or two, I'll admit.

I know the "children can do no wrong" folks here are pretty disgusted with me, at that time, I was disgusted with their attitude.

[Shell Beau]

132. No one said children can do no wrong. No one.

[EOTE]

142. So wrong that you wanted to award him a medal and make sure

that he got off scott free for assaulting a child. That's how wrong you think he is. Pretty disgusting, if you ask me. I agree with other posters on this thread, I wouldn't let my child anywhere near you.

[customerserviceguy]

143. Well, I'm not in the "hang 'em high crowd" that thinks all two year olds

are little angels, and that their parents are saints.

And thank you in advance for keeping your kid away from me.

[EOTE]

146. OK, I see now.

So one either thinks that all two year olds are perfect angels, or that grown men who physically assault 2 year olds deserve medals. Very binary world you live in.

[customerserviceguy]

148. Ok, I take it back on the medal

You pointed out the duality in two of my statements, and that did get to me. Somewhere between those two extremes is a continuum, and arranged along that continuum are those who are genetically wired to go into some sort of maternal mode when a child cries, and those who are wired to go into "Oh, not this shit again" mode, in varying combinations.

We all have our breaking point, mine isn't even close to the slapper (posted that 'medal' comment after a really good beer), but it's nowhere near the complete and absolute "all children are sweet little things" crowd who's been disagreeing with me here.

[Shell Beau]

153. Again, no one said children do no wrong. I guess if someone

disagrees with you, that is how you see it. Whatever. This child that got slapped was 2. There is only so much you can expect from a 2 year old. Read up on toddlers, see what they are capable of, realize that their forms of communication are different than adults. You obviously didn't get the memo when your children were toddlers, and you don't remember your own behavior as a toddler. You need to educate yourself. For real.

[Iris]

78. Yeah, cause what we need is to live in a society where adults can go around freely hitting children

that's nice.

Maybe if you live in the Atlanta-area you can still get on the jury. He just got arrested for his actions this week.

[Shell Beau]

100. You really need to shut up already. Your comments are gross

and quite rude to all the struggling moms and dads out there trying to raise a decent family. The only brat I see is you.

[waiting for hope]

7. Believe me - I've given that

sympathetic look quite a few times. And with my youngest who is very strong willed and determined, leaving the store has always worked. But some people on a time crunch don't have that option - and I've been there too. Counting to five works pretty well, as well as ignoring it.

[hedgehog]

9. There's a difference between a tantrum and a kid who's just overwhelmed.

One of my kids used to get mad at things, but then I was so amused at him he started laughing. Another tried having a tantrum once when she was about 2. She was whining along when all of a sudden she gave a yelp of real pain. She'd given herself a migraine. That was the last time she ever had a tantrum.

[waiting for hope]

10. delete.

[ejpoeta]

23. my kid has had tantrums.... oh boy has she had tantrums!! i can't tell you how many stores i've

picked her up and carried her out of as she hit me and pulled my hair. She had serious issues with sensory overload and I hated to take her anywhere!! She never got anything for that behavior... never got toys or candy... but she still did it. it was humiliating and mortifying. and I can't tell you how many times she'd smack my face it took every ounce of control I had to not just react with a slap back!! I would carry her out to the car and put her in and shut the door and stand outside and take deep breaths. There was a time she wanted something and threw herself on the floor in the cosmetic aisle and refused to budge. I walked away, as you do sometimes... i'm leaving, bye. and called my husband. when I went back over towards her some woman tried to give me money to give her what she wanted. I gave her the dirtiest look.... i HAD money.. but there was no way in hell i was going to reward that behavior. Uh uh. finally I got her out of there... not sure how. but there have been many trying moments and tears. And stares from people... if I plopped her in the cart and ignored her as she made a scene and went on my way I got stares.... If I yelled at her to stop I got stares.... no matter what I did I could feel people staring at me disapprovingly. I've walked out of the store leaving a full cart after walking through the store for an hour....

I don't judge parents. I give them that knowing look. I feel glad when I get a chance to go to the store on my own... like I am on vacation. but it's not always possible. And though I try to work my going to the store around when I think the kids will be best capable of behaving, it isn't always possible and it doesn't always work. my younger child has ran off on me in walmart like four times. she'd act up and when I would try to pick her up and put her in the cart she'd bolt. then she automatically went in the cart for awhile. It's a learning curve. Each child is different. And there are going to be times when despite your best efforts they will have problems and issues. It's a fact of life. And I have had people smile and get my kids attention and she would calm right down. And I would look at htem appreciatively and also embarrassed.

It's easy to tell others how their kids should behave. But you don't know anything about that kid or that family that you seem to be more than happy to pass judgement on... and i don't mean YOU but more those people who comment about how parents should handle their kids. Sure, as a cashier I would hear the kids screaming through the store and throwing a fit and in the end the parents give in. that bothers me more than if the kid is throwing the fit.... because that parent has guaranteed that kid is going to do it again.

I have had cashiers applaud me for not giving in to the kids.... for telling them not to mess with things like kids do. and I will make them pick things up if they throw them on the floor. But I understand how overwhelming it is and can be.... especially for parents who work and have to go to the store when they can go, not when the kids are going to be best behaved. They do the best they can.... and it may not always be what others in the store may think is best... but it is how it is. If you don't like it.... then you go at 2 am or something. I do not take my kids into fancy restaurants.... unless I am quite sure they would behave. Which isn't very often, so we don't go there. But a grocery store... that is where people go... people with kids. and you can just ignore it or go at another time, i think.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

11. It does work -

I do it all the time, and then we sometimes segue into a game of peekaboo.

The sad fact is that those poor little kids are trapped, tired, and just want to be at home, where they're comfortable. Stores and shopping carts are not places for kids, although life doesn't give parents choices these days. The little ones pay the price, and their parents get harried, and it's hard all around.

But, yeah, you can jolt the kid out of crying and keep him distracted. I've had more than one mother - it's always been moms in my experience - thank me for it.............................

[hedgehog]

17. I also automatically keep an eyeball on every little kid in sight to ensure

they're attached to an adult. Yeah,Ii know it's the parent's job to watch the kid, but it's amazing how fast a little one can scoot around a corner. Malls are especially bad, for some reason kids leave the store like some kind of reverse homing pigeons when they get separated from their parents.

[renate]

71. that's really nice!

I've never (thank goodness) lost a child for more than a few seconds in a store, but I always, always, always, watch kids who have obviously strayed away from their parents, because I know my luck was just plain old dumb luck and things could easily have gone otherwise. Little kids move like bugs... you can't even see their feet move, they scuttle so fast.

Nine times out of ten the kid and the parent find each other without even knowing I was around, but I do feel good about the times I've helped them find each other. I wouldn't expect everybody to take responsibility for someone else's kid, but as a mom I couldn't just keep on going when I see a kid who's obviously lost.

[hedgehog]

80. It takes a village....

[mopinko]

49. i was gonna say peek-a-boo.

works like magic.

[blondeatlast]

101. It really does work wonders; I do it a lot.

I can almost see mom and/or dad's shoulders relax when the kid is pleasantly distracted.

[uppityperson]

81. I have a small flashlight on my keys, turning that on and off distracts them also

[cigsandcoffee]

14. Are muzzles cruel?

I'm just askin'.

[Pangolin2]

39. Only if equipped with a spade bit

:D

[Spacemom]

16. I did this the other day in the grocery store

A toddler sitting in a cart was fussing. I caught her eye and started playing peeka-boo with her. Her parents were chatting and didn't see what I was doing. My husband asked why I was doing it and I told him because it gave the parents a few minutes of peace and quiet. By the time they moved off, the little girl was giggling. :D

[Mz Pip]

19. I rarely took mine shopping

with me. Once in a while I would have to but I usually did shopping when Mr Pip was home.

Now, I am not the least bit bothered by crying kids in stores. I am just relieved that they are not my kids send good thoughts the Mom's way.

[JerseygirlCT]

21. Absolutely

The joy of playing like that with someone else's little one is that you can have the fun and satisfaction of making baby and parent happier, and then you get to move along...

And far better to treat the parent with sympathy than anger. I've never, ever run into a parent who wants to have a screaming, upset kid - hoping to bother strangers, no less.

[Holly_Hobby]

22. If I dared misbehave in a store or restaurant, I was taken out

and locked up in the car by myself and smacked around when we got home. 1959, age 3. My mother was a tyrant and would lose custody of her children if she tried that today.

I will say it worked, though, I was locked up in the car alone only once.

[votenovember2008]

32. Call me cruel . . .

but when I see a misbehaving child out in public, I give them the evil eye, you would be surprised, no matter the age, they calm down when they see the evil eye. It's worked many times. I'm just saying. Holly_Hobby, my mother spanked me in the grocery store in the middle of the aisle one time and that never happened again.

[Shell Beau]

107. Giving a child the evil eye? Lovely.

[customerserviceguy]

139. Oh, the little precious darlings should NEVER see anything

but rainbows, lollipops, sunsets, and butterflies.

Your kid is going to get a real rude awakening someday when she encounters the real world. You had better hope that by that time, President Obama has universal healthcare that covers the therapy visits you're both going to need.

[Shell Beau]

147. I am pretty sure I won't be taking parenting advice from you, but thanks

anyway.

[Shell Beau]

160. And if anyone needs therapy, well dude, take a look in the mirror.

Re-read what you posted about your situation with your children. Just sayin'.

[NYC_SKP]

24. What's your trick for moody girlfriends?

help

[ejpoeta]

26. i wouldn't ask them if it's that time of the month, that's for sure.

[jaysunb]

28. or, mention menopause

:evilgrin:

[seabeyond]

38. and the moody male? menopause, pms'in? or just an ass? do tell. nt

[jaysunb]

62. See.....

:rofl:

[seabeyond]

76. yes, i do see. thanks. just an ass. nt

[jaysunb]

86. I told my wife you called me an ass.

She sends her love. :)

[seabeyond]

88. wink. nt

[asdjrocky]

59. Do you have a deathwish?

Christ man, why don't you just tell her you think her sister is hot?

[NYC_SKP]

68. I did tell her that her Mom was Hawt...

I thought she'd get the point that she looks like her mom.

It came out poorly, backfired.

:rofl:

[Tangerine LaBamba]

35. Apologize - for everything, anything -

bring chocolate. And potato chips. And a big bulky sweatshirt with bulky sweatpants as a surprise gift for her. And lots of Vicodin.

And then take cover, because none of it will work anyway.......................

[seabeyond]

36. chocolate. nt

[demmiblue]

40. Get a new boyfriend... duh!

[Quasimodem]

48. Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker. n/t

[pipi_k]

29. I come from a family of mutants

My dad always said that we were extremely well behaved out in public (me and my two younger sisters) even as very small children.

My own two kids were the same way.

I could take them anywhere and they would not hoot and holler or screech like banshees.

weird...

[Control-Z]

51. My kids were the same

when they were young. Boy am I paying for it now that they are older.

[pipi_k]

82. Did you get the "wait till you have kids of your own" curse put on you?

As well behaved as we were in public, I guess we kids were rather wild in our own home. Although I don't recall being any worse than any other kids were, but anyway, one of my mom's favorite sayings was, "Wait till you have kids of your own someday...I hope they do the same things to you as you do to me".

Uh, oh...

The Parental Curse....


:scared:

[Control-Z]

159. but, but, i was a

perfect angel :evilgrin: lol

the curse will live on with my kids, especially my youngest, who will be wise not to have any, as she is hell on wheels ...and has been warned

[ourbluenation]

87. same here. it's why I stopped at two...

because the odds were against number 3 being well behaved as well. :rofl:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

30. And here I was, looking for something like an AK-47 as an answer.

sigh.

[Lagomorph]

60. Nah, an AK is too big for a baby to hold.

Stick to something in .22LR.

[Submariner]

31. I stole an elevator in Filene's department store once

It was one of those old manual elevators in the '50s. I drove it to the roof and bumped the elevator on the roof stops. I was such a joy for my mother to take shopping. I really thrilled her when I opened the fence to the Christmas reindeer holding cage on Boston Common and let the reindeer go free!

So y'all consider yourself lucky you didn't have me. Did I mention the time I knocked over the radiator cover in Fanny Farmers candy store with all the giant glass candy displays? Mom got embarrassed from that stunt.

[virgogal]

37. God,I remember those old Filene's elevators. So you're the perp,eh?

[mamaleah]

33. I always just took mine out of the store.

It works.

[Profprileasn]

41. Good idea

been there too.

[customerserviceguy]

42. I don't have all day to make faces with the little urchins

their parents think are acceptable to be out in public.

Bought myself a pair of noise-cancelling headphones for this month's flight back to the Pacific Northwest, but just last night while eating Chinese food I wondered, "How would a child-free restaurant do in this economy?"

If you're willing to spend $40 or $50 a meal, you might get lucky to find a restaurant where people have decided that the cost of a babysitter is well worth not having to spend money on little Junior throwing food all around, but shouldn't there be some place where those of us who want a $10 or $15 meal can go to get away from the brats?

[Warren DeMontague]

44. Eat in a bar.

Then, later on when you develop cirrhosis and need a liver transplant, my kids will be funding your medicare.

[customerserviceguy]

46. That actually used to be my solution

when I lived in the Pacific Northwest. They don't allow ANYBODY in the bar who's not 21. However, here on the East Coast, people routinely bring their children into the bars. About the only rule is that the kid cannot sit at the bar, but if you have a baby, they often ignore that. I'd give anything if they'd keep the damned kids out of the bars here. They force the smokers outside now, so it's pretty nice if there are no people pretending that they're still childless in there.

As for my liver, that's my business. I have no intention of asking for a single one of your (or your kids) tax dollars to buy another one if I happen to wear mine out. I just ask to live my adult life in peace, among other adults. Lately, that means cooking at home a lot.

[Name removed]

54. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[customerserviceguy]

56. Too late, reproduced

and enjoying the silence of having them all be adults now.

All I'm advocating is that there be places for you, and places for me. And never the twain shall meet.

[demigoddess]

89. mine are grown too, but my technique was to talk to them, keep their mind on

something. So many parents do not talk to their little ones while shopping.

[Telly Savalas]

150. I agree we need misanthropic asshole-free zones.

[pipi_k]

84. Yep, I remember going to the bar with my dad

A nice little neighborhood cafe where he would bring us kids so he could have a beer or two. He would order us orange soda in a real glass (this was back in the late 50s...we had those metal glasses, plastic, or jelly jar glasses). A straw. And the bartender put it on one of those little pressed cardboard coasters. We sat in a booth.

To this day I can still remember the smell of those coasters and the taste of the orange soda and how icy cold it was. It was such a special treat.... :)

[Tangerine LaBamba]

52. I'd pay premium prices

not to have to eat in a restaurant where assholes frequent.

I don't know where you eat, but we don't see kids throwing food around or behaving badly.

Maybe you need to eat in a better place? Ten and fifteen dollar meals are pretty cheap - you need to do better, and leave the junk food to families...........................

[customerserviceguy]

73. I try to stay out of the fast food joints

but we have a steakhouse chain around here called "Charlie Browns". No there are not pictures of Peanuts characters on the walls, it's just the name of a person who I presume started it.

The last time I was there, a couple was COMPLETELY oblivious to the behavior of their brats, who would not only vocalize loudly, but would run around the place. There were people coming back from the salad bar who were nearly run into. Yet, Mr. and Mrs. Oblivious kept on talking to each other while the waitress was 'babysitting' their kids.

The topper was when the little boy climbed up on an unoccupied table across the room. The poor waitress trying to talk him down from it finally got the attention of Mr. Oblivious, who proceeded to order dessert as a 'reward' for his kids' behavior, even though 90% of their meals got packaged up in to-go containers.

That's the ten or fifteen dollar dinner that I'd like to be able to enjoy in peace.

[pipi_k]

83. See now, a lot of people are probably going to get all defensive about this, but

I agree with you.

Child-free restaurants are a good idea. Not that I hate kids or anything, having been one myself once, and I have two of my own and three grandkids, but geez...other patrons are spending good money for a nice, stress-free meal and screaming, wild savage kids ruin it for everyone.

What bothers me isn't so much that some of these kids are bored to tears and tired and cranky and acting up a little bit.

No....the ones I want to hit over the head are the parents who allow their kids to scream and run loose all over the place. Actually that goes for any public place. And the parents are just oblivious, for petes sake...

Kids can't help being tired and cranky and the parents can't always accommodate their schedules, but they they sure as hell can do something about teaching their rude little urchins some manners.

[customerserviceguy]

97. Remember when parents taught their kids "church behavior"?

I'm an atheist, and I'm glad to see religion declining, but apparently we need some other excuse to get parents to teach their kids that some places are the playground, and other places are not.

[EndersDame]

92. The Alamo Drafthouse has a no child under 6 policy

expect for "baby days"

[customerserviceguy]

95. Good!

And lucky for you. I just wish they could keep kids out of the bars around here, I'm more than happy to eat my meal in a smoke-free bar, like I could in the Northwest.

[EndersDame]

98. And that is the beauty of the Alamo You can eat and drink while you watch a screach free movie

[customerserviceguy]

105. Never been to Texas

but I gotta get down there!

[EndersDame]

134. Send this the way of a budding entrepeneaur (sp?) in your hood

http://www.drafthouse.com/main/franchise/

[customerserviceguy]

135. Wow, beer and movies!

Wish I had one near me!

[EndersDame]

136. They are also very serious about ejecting noisy adults

[customerserviceguy]

138. Well, they wouldn't have a problem with

my cheering the hero, or booing the villain, would they? Or laughing out loud at a comedy?

The one thing I truly hate is texting during movies. The idiots who do this think they're OK because it's quiet, but it's just like shining a flashlight into the eyes of the person behind you.

[EndersDame]

141. They would have no problem with that . This is a theatre by and for movie fans!

They love it when movie goers get into the film. I saw the Star Trek movie on opening night and we all cheered .I have yet to hear or see a cell phone out during a movie that could incur banning. Like I said They are movie people and have special events like q and a s with people associated in the movie, quote alongs for classics, Weird Wednesdays
(they show a very weird cult movies at midnight for $1.oo ) Videoke (where you get to do a classic scene your way) all in addition to the normal screenings. I heard that they did a special screening of The Wrath of Khan (before the new star trek came out) and then they faked projector problems then out pops Mr. Leonard Nimoy himself and plays the new one!!
They do Rolling Road Shows (site specific showings) during the summer so keep an eye out if one comes over to your neck of the woods. If you are a movie fan it is a great experience

Instructions on Viewing an Alamo Movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-bcHA06zw0

[JVS]

131. There's always handguns.

[Name removed]

45. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[customerserviceguy]

47. Just support laws that let us have our kid-free places

and if you cannot do that, either train your kids to be quiet in public, or take them to McDonald's. I don't go there, except for the drive-thru on my quarterly visits.

If people raised their kids the way kids were raised fifty years ago, you wouldn't hear so many complaints. Today, every parent thinks they have to be their kid's "friend".

[Name removed]

53. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[customerserviceguy]

55. Not childless

Just post-child, thank you. And I'd like to have places where I can go without dealing with the likes of you, or your spoiled kid.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

61. Mine are grown,

but I don't think of us as "post-children," just happy parents of very nice people.

if you refer to yourself as "post-child," that sounds kind of tragic. If the child is lost to you, in any way, my sympathies, and I understand why you'd not want to be around children.......................

[customerserviceguy]

74. Just describing a stage of life

There's pre-child, raising children (or sloughing off the job, and trying to get the rest of society to do it), and post-child. That's where you've been there, done that, and expect a little peace and quiet in your adult life, especially when you go out somewhere.

[Shell Beau]

151. Children are not animals. You don't train them. You teach them.

:eyes:

[Creena]

57. Oh. So, dangling candy in their face isn't the right way?

Well, that explains my lack of babysitting jobs as a teenager. In all seriousness, I'm completely flummoxed when it comes to children (although, I do know slapping it not exactly the best method). Give me a barking dogs any day.

[mzmolly]

64. I think lollipops are great actually.

They last quite a long time and keep a child entertained while in a shopping cart. My child has great teeth, in spite of an occasional lolly. :D

[Shell Beau]

158. Not everyone is a kid person. That is ok. Sadly the person making

the ugliest statements in this thread actually has children. But even the non-kid friendly people I know adore human life. We all were there at some point. We were all that crying baby at some point. Today's world is a lot more fast paced than before. :shrug:

[mzmolly]

63. My trick was to buy my child a small, inexpensive toy or treat and open it when we entered

the store. I just kept the packaging and paid at the end. It was well worth a buck or two. ;)

I too am sympathetic to parents not to mention small children who are forced to endure shopping at times.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

66. HFPS's trick for dealing with crying kids in department stores:

Leave the fucking store.

It's a Walmart, not the fucking Library of Alexandria.

[subcomhd]

67. It's a Walmart, not the fucking Library of Alexandria

That would make a great sig.

[Maru Kitteh]

69. .

:thumbsup:

[blondeatlast]

110. Cost-effective and offends no one. I like it. nt

[redqueen]

113. To people who refer to kids as "cockroaches" and "brats"...

they are the ones who must be catered to at all times... it has nothing to do with logic or reason. It's just ME ME ME ME ME ME ME.

[SeattleGirl]

70. I look at the crying child and ask

Him or her if they have had a bad day at the office, and make funny faces at them. They often start giggling.

[customerserviceguy]

75. I notice that both you and the original poster

are female. Not recommended to try either trick if you're a male, you'll just be assumed to be a child molester trying to groom your next victim.

Women who are strangers to children are tolerated all the time trying to talk to them.

[Telly Savalas]

152. That's really only a problem if you give off the vibe of being a child molestor.

I don't seem to have that problem, but you're saying you do?

[TorchTheWitch]

72. My mom engaged us in the shopping by us participating

even in the most small and simple ways. "Should we get this one or this one?", "Where in the cart should we put this?", "This one that we don't want, what should we do with it - put it back here?", "Are these apples or are these?", "Should we get these red ones or the green ones?", etc., etc.

Participating in the shopping made it interesting, kept us focused and we felt like we were helping. Mom making it something of a game always worked unless we really WERE overly tired or not feeling well. Checking things off the list felt like scoring points to win the game, and pushing the full cart out the door once the purchases were made was crossing the finish line... yeah! we won the shopping! It was fun.

[EOTE]

144. That method works rather well.

I use it with my little girl and I find it's the most proactive thing that can be done. Even when I feel a tantrum about to come about, if I start asking her to get involved, I find it usually will quell her temper. I find it helps her feel more grown up too.

[a la izquierda]

77. When my folks would take me to the mall as a kid...

my dad walked around behind me, clamping my arms to my side so I didn't touch things. When I asked him about it recently, he told me that apparently I knocked over a waterford crystal vase and it chipped. My parents had to buy it. Now I know where that vase came from.

But if I ever cried or acted out, one look from my dad shut me right up. And my mom always threatened us with "As soon as your father gets home..." Funny thing, he never hit us. I think he just postured for my mom's sanity.

[customerserviceguy]

99. You don't have to hit a kid, you just have to "get in their face"

In other words, lay down the law in a way that tells them you're serious about it. I think there are too many "parents" out there who are either too lazy, or worried about damaging their little "psyches".

Get control early, or the criminal justice system is gonna do it for you.

[Pharlo]

85. I'm 46, never had children and I've found the absolute best

way to deal with someone elses screaming child in a store is to tune them out. Every once in a while it will permeate and bother me, but then I get annoyed with myself more than the kid. Kids have bad days and they scream. Sometimes the parents can control it, but sometimes no matter what they do, the kid keeps screaming. It's just one of those things. As far as I'm concerned, I'm the lucky one. When I leave that store, I'll never have to see that kid again. The person with the child - not so lucky.

[RedCappedBandit]

156. Finally

I mean really, is it that damn hard to go to the store, do your business, and leave? I ignore everyone and everything when I'm out trying to get errands done. It isn't rocket science.
You'd think a screaming child was the end of the world according to some posts here.
For that matter, the grumpy old buzzkills who just want their "peace and quiet" can be just as irksome as the kids - I ignore them too.

[Shell Beau]

161. It is only hard for people who are looking for a reason to be pissed off.

I do understand trying to enjoy a nice meal at a fine restaurant, or going to the movies and having to hear a screaming kid, but going to the grocery store, or WalMart???? Some people are so quick to anger.

[madmom]

90. Have a friend who has a son with severe behavioral problems. Doctors told her

ADD and wanted to drug the kid. She wasn't so easy to convince, went to another doctor. The kid is allergic to yeast, which is in everything we eat now days. The symptoms are violent outburst and ADD like behavior. So we should not be so quick to judge anybody!

[Ilsa]

93. I completely agree. And that horrible man in Ga would have

gotten his nuts kicked in all the way up to his throat if he'd laid a hand on my babies.

[blondeatlast]

96. Just pay some attention without touching them--a little distraction

is a blessing for a harried mom or dad and the kids love it.

[customerserviceguy]

103. Should we all carry a clown suit at the ready, to put on at a moment's notice?

What other jobs should I be doing for the parents around me, O Sage One? Isn't paying my taxes so they can have free babysitting during the school year enough?

[redqueen]

108. I can see why you regret having children.

Your sig really does not suit you at all.

[Shell Beau]

111. I feel extremely sorry for his children. How scary.

[Shell Beau]

109. You should stay your ass at home so no one has to encounter your

lovely attitude. That would be a far better service to all.

[customerserviceguy]

123. I do try to, as much as possible

The ultra-tolerant ones like you have turned this into a real madhouse if you try to do much of anything in public.

By the way, most of my interactions with other people's kids are quite peaceful. I was next in line for a haircut today, and a woman came in with a very well behaved seven or eight year old daughter for a cut for the child. I offered graciously multiple times for the child to go first, but each time, the mother politely refused. She was teaching her child manners. I ended my visit by wishing the girl a great year at school.

Not everybody who detests sloppy child raising is a monster.

[Shell Beau]

125. How did your child raising go again?

Exactly.

Your posts show your true colors. 'Nuff said.

[blondeatlast]

116. Maybe you're in the wrong profgession. You could just, I dunno, IGNORE IT and move along?! nt

[customerserviceguy]

119. Well, when the screaming kids start to call my company

then it may be time to look for a new job. However, I deal with adults whose kids think that Mommy or Daddy on the telephone is a cue to act up.

I do a LOT of ignoring of it. That's the difference between me (and millions of other irritated people) and the slapper. We feel the same way, but we hold it in as best we can. I try what my lady calls "the hairy eyeball" trick at the parents, but generally, they're as oblivious to it as they are to their kids behavior.

[Shell Beau]

121. Riiiiiight! I can assure you if my baby is crying, I am not oblivious to it.

Nasty people are everywhere. I don't know why I am shocked to read such here. I shouldn't be. But boy, your true colors are ugly.

[redwitch]

133. You should WEAR yours at all times.

"free babysitting during the school year". You have problems with teachers too?

[customerserviceguy]

137. Only the educational system that turns out kids

who are ill-prepared for the job market. And I don't blame the teachers anywhere near as much as I blame the administrators, and the others in the system who fight meaningful change.

I support the President in his call for educational reforms, including merit pay. Something has to be done to turn around test scores, it seems like the first year of college is like remedial high school these days.

[redqueen]

104. Thanks for posting this.

:)

[Dappleganger]

128. I've done this on multiple occasions...

especially when the mom is at least trying to console or correct the child. We had four kids within 6 years, so I've been there and understand the frustration. I cannot imagine the pressure of being single parent or having both parents work full time during those years, either. My hat is off to parents of young children who are only trying their best.

[mnhtnbb]

140. The problem is hauling babies/toddlers to the store in the first place.

If it works with the baby's schedule, ok. Too many people try to impose their schedule on
a tired or hungry child. Recipe for a tantrum every time.

[Shell Beau]

154. Sometimes you have to. For the most part, yes, do it when it is the

best time for your child, but that isn't always realistic.

[mnhtnbb]

155. True. And having a child requires parents to reorganize their priorities.

Too many parents don't get that at all.

[Shell Beau]

157. Oh yeah, the priorities must change. A child changes absolutely everything.

Life as you knew it before kids, is not the same life you have after kids. It just can't be.

[present and past]

145. First Lesson In Life

I've had success doing the same. The baby has a lot to learn about networking with total strangers. First lesson: the nature of the eye contact and resultant facial expressions. You would be surprised how many adults haven't learned that first lesson about networking.

[oligarhy]

149. I read War & Peace to them.

Practically puts them in a coma.